Alexandru Munteanu
Immediately after his appointment, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu distanced himself from the symbolism of the “first 100 days,” calling it outdated and a relic of Soviet times. But he promised that his team would try to “show results in the short, medium and long term”.
The Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, Eugeniu Osmokescu, even predicted at the time that the government’s first steps would allow the country to achieve economic growth of 1-2% in 100 days.
“Your expectations are your problems.”
However, the other day, President Maia Sandu urged not to expect major changes in such a short period of time.
“It is impossible to make revolutions in the economy in 100 days, because processes happen at a different speed. But by the end of this month, in spring, we expect to see a program. I can’t say a completely new one, because there is still continuity, but with new elements. Exactly taking into account the context we are in, in order to accelerate economic growth, despite external and internal obstacles,” said Maia Sandu in a TV program.
Representatives of the parliamentary majority expectedly give a positive assessment of the first steps of the Cabinet of Ministers. Thus, PAS deputy Dorian Istratii said that the government has already demonstrated its ability to respond to crisis situations: “When the electricity was cut off for 5 hours, the situation was solved very quickly.”
The opposition demands visible results
At the same time, critics note that the government is expected not only to be able to “put out fires” quickly, but also to develop a clear strategic course, with clear goals and measurable results.
For example, former Prime Minister Ion Kiku, who demanded that the prime minister be invited to the parliament to present a report on the first 100 days.
And Vlad Filat, taking into account his own experience of being prime minister, said that the argument about the “insufficiency of 100 days” cannot serve as an excuse: “When we are told that 100 days is too short, we should call things by their names: this is not a new government, but a continuation of the government that has been running the country for more than four years. Therefore, there should be no adaptation period.”
The reproach that the Cabinet of Ministers acts reactively instead of proactively was expressed by Irina Vlah, ex-bashkan of Gagauzia. She made an open address to Alexandru Munteanu, in which she predicted his imminent resignation: “From the very beginning, PAS knew that they appointed you to this position in order to sacrifice you when it was necessary to reduce the level of people’s discontent. I don’t know if you were or are now aware of this situation, but the role you have been given at PAS is far from honorable. In fact, you are simply being used, using you as a cover to hide your own incompetence and cowardice…. At best, you will be asked to resign in a few months’ time”.
By the way, politicians and journalists have started to talk about it more and more often. And they even name specific deadlines.
PSRM leader Igor Dodon announced a possible vote of no confidence in the current Cabinet. According to him, “at least three or four ministers should report to the deputies”.
So far, only the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry has done so. However, questions have also piled up for the energy minister, the minister of infrastructure and regional development, the finance minister, the health minister, the minister of education and research, and the interior minister.
